Graphic and Digital Design (Top Up) BA (Hons)
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Please note: This course is subject to validation
The Graphic and Digital Design Top-Up course gives you the opportunity to explore both traditional and emerging design practices to help prepare you for a career in the dynamic creative industries.
Build on your current design skills by incorporating the latest design thinking in combination with industry-standard practices across various platforms, including web, apps, and smart devices.
The course covers key areas such as branding, typography, editorial, digital design, UI/UX, data visualisation, and design for virtual reality.
Studio-based activities, live briefs, and critique sessions allow you to enhance your skills, helping you to develop a portfolio while staying connected to real-world design challenges.
By the end of the course, we aim for our graduates to be confident, independent designers ready for the evolving digital landscape.
BTEC HND or Foundation degree with an overall pass, in a related subject such as Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Graphic Communication, Digital Design, UX Design, Multimedia or New Media Design, Illustration, Animation, Games Design or Product Design (with strong portfolio evidence of Graphic Design or Digital Design capabilities).
Additional Information
A portfolio of creative design work is required. Get advice on preparing your portfolio here: www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/coming-to-northumbria/portfolios-and-auditions
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting: www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
UK Fee in Year 1: £9,535
* This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift, as decided by the UK Government, up to the maximum amount for fees permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year. To give students an indication of the likely scale of any future increase, the UK government has recently suggested that increases may be linked to RPIX ( Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments)
International Fee in Year 1:
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
Look out for module specifics coming soon. Please keep checking this web page for updated information.
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
This course prepares you for a career in the fast-growing digital design sector. You can develop skills in UX/UI Design, Co-design, Experiential Design, and AI-enhanced production, all in high demand across industries. Career paths may include roles as a UX/UI Designer, Visual Communication Designer, Interaction Designer, and Creative Technologist, in sectors like design agencies, consultancies, and cultural institutions.
The course aims to build transferable skills such as creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration for success in design careers or further study.
We have a fantastic service for students' to use to gain advice and tips on furthering careers and enhancing their employability.
Careers and Employment Services
You will be taught by leading design practitioners and researchers with expertise in visual communication, UX/UI, data visualisation, and digital arts. Our experienced team mirrors industry standards, offering exciting briefs to help you refine your skills and prepare for a seamless transition into the creative industry.
This course offers an authentic, experiential learning environment with excellent facilities at Northumbria.
You'll have access to specialist Mac labs with current creative software, workshops for both traditional and digital prototyping, and equipment like photo labs, laser cutting, and large-format printing. Expert technical staff will provide inductions and online tutorials to help you master new tools.
Our 24/7 Library and eLearning Portal will guide your independent research and preparation.
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints
Back to top
